H1 Cold Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes: A Refreshing Summer Delight
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light, refreshing salads that are packed with flavor and nutrients. This Cold Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes is a vibrant and delicious dish that’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a simple weeknight meal. It’s easy to make, requires minimal cooking, and is bursting with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The combination of crisp green beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, salty feta cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
This salad is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients, such as adding cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, or herbs. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have on hand. Plus, it’s a healthy and satisfying meal that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
**Why You’ll Love This Cold Green Bean Salad**
* **Fresh and Flavorful:** The combination of green beans, cherry tomatoes, and feta creates a burst of fresh flavors. The vinaigrette dressing adds a tangy and zesty kick.
* **Easy to Make:** This salad is incredibly easy to make and requires minimal cooking. You can have it on the table in under 30 minutes.
* **Healthy and Nutritious:** Green beans are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Cherry tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, and feta cheese provides calcium and protein.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this salad with your favorite ingredients and adapt it to your dietary needs.
* **Perfect for Summer:** This cold salad is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. It’s also great for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.
**Ingredients You’ll Need**
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious Cold Green Bean Salad:
* **1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed** (look for firm, bright green beans)
* **1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved** (use a variety of colors for a more visually appealing salad)
* **4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled** (use a good quality feta cheese for the best flavor)
* **1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced** (optional, for a bit of bite)
* **1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped** (or other fresh herbs like mint, parsley, or dill)
**For the Vinaigrette Dressing:**
* **3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil** (use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor)
* **2 tablespoons red wine vinegar** (or lemon juice for a brighter flavor)
* **1 tablespoon Dijon mustard** (adds a tangy and emulsifying element)
* **1 clove garlic, minced** (for a savory touch)
* **1/2 teaspoon dried oregano** (or Italian seasoning)
* **Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste**
**Equipment You’ll Need**
* Large pot or saucepan
* Colander or strainer
* Large mixing bowl
* Whisk or fork
* Cutting board
* Knife
**Step-by-Step Instructions**
Now that we have all the ingredients and equipment ready, let’s get started with the recipe. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make the perfect Cold Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes:
**1. Prepare the Green Beans:**
* Wash the green beans thoroughly under cold water.
* Trim the ends of the green beans. You can snap them off by hand or use a knife.
**2. Blanch the Green Beans:**
* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
* Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the green beans. You want them to be cooked through but still have a slight bite.
* While the green beans are cooking, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Fill the bowl with ice and cold water.
* Once the green beans are cooked, immediately drain them in a colander and transfer them to the ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help them retain their vibrant green color and crisp texture. Let them cool in the ice bath for a few minutes.
* Drain the green beans from the ice bath and pat them dry with paper towels.
**3. Prepare the Vinaigrette Dressing:**
* In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and dried oregano.
* Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings to your liking.
* You can also add a pinch of sugar or honey to balance the acidity of the vinegar, if desired.
**4. Assemble the Salad:**
* In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and thinly sliced red onion (if using).
* Pour the vinaigrette dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
**5. Chill and Serve:**
* Cover the salad with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
* Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Chilling the salad also makes it more refreshing.
* Before serving, garnish the salad with fresh basil leaves, chopped.
* Serve the Cold Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes chilled.
**Tips for the Perfect Cold Green Bean Salad**
* **Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients:** The key to a delicious salad is using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Choose green beans that are firm and bright green, cherry tomatoes that are plump and juicy, and feta cheese that is creamy and flavorful.
* **Don’t Overcook the Green Beans:** Overcooked green beans will be mushy and lose their vibrant color. Blanch them until they are tender-crisp, which means they are cooked through but still have a slight bite.
* **Use an Ice Bath:** An ice bath is essential for stopping the cooking process and preserving the color and texture of the green beans. Don’t skip this step!
* **Make the Dressing Ahead of Time:** You can make the vinaigrette dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. This will save you time when you’re ready to assemble the salad.
* **Adjust the Seasonings to Your Liking:** Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings of the vinaigrette dressing to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your taste.
* **Add a Touch of Sweetness:** If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a pinch of sugar or honey to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
* **Chill the Salad Before Serving:** Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together and makes it more refreshing. Refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
* **Garnish with Fresh Herbs:** Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor and visual appeal to the salad. Use basil, mint, parsley, or dill.
**Variations and Customization**
The beauty of this Cold Green Bean Salad is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients and adapt it to your dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
* **Add Other Vegetables:** Cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, corn, or avocado are all great additions to this salad.
* **Add Protein:** Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas would make this salad a more substantial meal.
* **Use Different Cheese:** If you’re not a fan of feta cheese, you can use goat cheese, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese instead.
* **Add Nuts or Seeds:** Toasted almonds, walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds would add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the salad.
* **Use Different Herbs:** Experiment with different herbs like mint, parsley, dill, or chives.
* **Make it Vegan:** Omit the feta cheese or use a vegan feta cheese alternative. You can also add some toasted nuts or seeds for protein.
* **Add a Spicy Kick:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette dressing for a spicy kick.
* **Use Different Vinegar:** Balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar can be used instead of red wine vinegar.
**Serving Suggestions**
This Cold Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways:
* **As a Side Dish:** Serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or steak.
* **As a Main Course:** Add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a more substantial meal.
* **At a Picnic or Barbecue:** This salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.
* **In a Salad Bowl:** Serve it as part of a larger salad bowl with other vegetables, grains, and proteins.
* **As a Topping for Crostini:** Spoon the salad onto toasted crostini for a delicious appetizer.
* **In a Wrap or Sandwich:** Add the salad to a wrap or sandwich for a healthy and flavorful lunch.
**How to Store Leftovers**
If you have any leftover Cold Green Bean Salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad may become slightly watery as it sits, but the flavor will still be delicious. Before serving, you may want to drain off any excess liquid.
**Nutritional Information**
The nutritional information for this Cold Green Bean Salad will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use and the portion size. However, a general estimate per serving is:
* Calories: 200-300
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Protein: 5-10 grams
* Carbohydrates: 10-15 grams
* Fiber: 3-5 grams
This salad is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s also relatively low in calories and carbohydrates, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.
**Conclusion**
This Cold Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes is a delicious, refreshing, and healthy dish that’s perfect for summer. It’s easy to make, versatile, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish, a main course, or bringing it to a picnic, this salad is sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, follow the instructions, and enjoy this delightful summer treat!
Enjoy this recipe and let me know how it turns out in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family.